By: Rosa Kang PharmD Candidate c/o 2027
Summer is a time of endless possibilities. During this time, St. John’s University offers a program for its students who are interested in pursuing research: The Summer Research Program! Here are just a few of the many experiences from the professors and students who are participating in this year’s program and their takeaways.
Dr. Sei Higuchi
Tell me about yourself!
I was born and raised in Japan. I did my 4-year post-doctoral track in Kyoto University and then, in 2015, moved to New York to work with Columbia University. In 2022, I began working and teaching at St. John’s University. My field of study is molecular biology, specifically regarding obesity and diabetes. I have a keen interest in reptiles, most favourably, snakes. In fact, the research that I do now is based on how snake bile acid works and how it may help with human obesity/diabetes issues.
What are some qualities you looked for when selecting students for the program?
I believe in working with driven students. It is hard to know a student purely based on their application, but ultimately it comes down to how interested you are in research (and the type of research as well). Students who have specific career paths and generally know what they would like to do in the future are always a pleasure to work with. Also, punctuality and valuing peoples’ time is always a plus!
How did you get started in being a summer Research Mentor?
I am always happy to work with motivated students. I know from personal experience how hard doing research is by yourself, so by being a Summer Research Mentor, I get to work with these passionate students and guide them in their research journey. At the same time, I get the added bonus of having an extra hand in the lab! It’s a fun and efficient way to complete lab work and ultimately, everyone learns from each other.
What is your lab research about?
My research primarily focuses on diabetes and obesity, specifically on how to best treat it. I am very intrigued by the intestines. So, one of the topics I study is how our intestines affect our brains. Glucose metabolism, which occurs in the gut, directly affects neurotransmitters. To further study this, I use optogenetics to see how gut activity can activate brain activity. Currently, it’s a field that has little research, so I’m excited to explore further!
Another research project that I am working on is figuring out how snake bile acid works and seeing if we can implement its use in diabetes/obesity treatment. When my son got a pet snake, snake would be dormant for days and weeks. I was worried it would die. Despite not eating for long periods of time, the snake maintained a healthy body weight and had normal bodily functions. This made me curious as to what sustains the snake for so long. Later, I discovered that snake bile acid affects mitochondria functions to maintain the body without having to ingest nutrients. So, using luciferase assay to see how well bile acid and the respective receptor binds together, I am able to observe how well bile acid affects mitochondrial functions. These are just a few things I’ve been doing in my lab.
What is the most rewarding part of this program?
Dr. Higuchi: Seeing what and how much each student can bring to the table is always a pleasant surprise. I worked with a high school student last year who had so much talent and drive. She’s recently received awards for the work she did in the lab. Being able to help and give students the right tools to achieve their full potential is always the most rewarding part about mentoring.
Any advice for students who may apply for the program in the future?
Dr. Higuchi: At the end of the day, anyone who is interested in research deserves to have the opportunity to let their passion flourish. Do not hesitate to reach out to any professors that does research that interests you. Just by showing your genuine interest, you’re sure to get a spot!
Students
Tell me a little bit about yourself!
Gabriella Coletta: Hi, I’m a Junior Biomed Science major. I am in 3 organisations on campus: the Cooking Club, Phi Sigma, and Women in Stem. I’ve also started on the softball team and am a Medical Assistant in the paediatrics field.
Kareena Poonai: My name is Kareena, and I’m a junior majoring in biology. I am involved on campus through Project Sunshine and Student Wellness Government. I also work as a Medical Assistant and as a Speech and Debate Coach. I enjoy musical theatre on the side!
What made you want to pursue research?
Gabriella Coletta: I think the fact that medicine is an everchanging field is fascinating. You never know what’s around the corner, so this is a great opportunity to be a part of the journey to innovation. Also, research teaches you so much that you just can’t learn in a lecture hall. It’s a very tangible learning experience, which I’ve always wanted.
Kareena Poonai: I enjoy the hands-on experience and learning environment. I’ve also always been invested in anxiety and depression research, and seeing what science can do to help with people struggling with these disorders. I wanted to experience as much hands on experience as I can on the field to truly make an impact down the line.
Why did you choose this lab specifically, or what made it your final choice?
Gabriella Coletta: I was in Dr. Higuchi’s anatomy course last semester and when he brought up his lab research from time to time, I was immediately intrigued so I reached out to him and the rest is history!
Kareena Poonai: I heard about Dr. Higuchi’s lab when I was taking his anatomy class. I was very interested in the work he does with bile acid and the linkage between gut activity and mental disorders, so I reached out to him regarding a potential shadowing opportunity, and later to be a research assistant.
What research projects are you working on this year?
Gabriella Coletta: Last semester, we identified 28 python-specific P45 cytochrome gene and from gene information, we designed specific primer for qPCR. Seven of 28 genes were detectable and are candidate of enzyme for pythocholic acid synthesis because of high expression in the python liver. After performing DNA digestion and inserting these genes into plasmids, we will insert these plasmids into cells. This will allow us to identify if the plasmids are effective and good candidates for future use. The goal of the summer research program is to continue the work I was previously performing in the lab, practice inserting plasmids into cells, and, eventually, insert the plasmids we made with genes we identified into cells.
Kareena Poonai: I am working on the behavioural aspect of mice which includes depression and anxiety. Anxiety and depression are the most prevalent mental disorders. The study is aimed to investigate the relationship between anxiety, depression and microbiota using TGR5 knockout mice. Imbalances in bile acid metabolism and changes in the composition of the gut microbiota have been linked to depression and anxiety. Responsibilities in lab include lab maintenance, documentation, and conducting this new experiment.
How did you find out about the program?
Gabriella Coletta: Dr. Higuchi talked about his lab and research in class and that piqued my interest. I was already enjoying his classes so when he brought up his research, I was highly motivated to reach out to him about shadowing his lab. I did lab shadowing for a semester, then I got an email from the school about summer research opportunities, which led me to officially apply for his lab as a research assistant.
Kareena Poonai: Like Gabriella, I was shadowing Dr. Higuchi’s lab during the semester, then I got an email from the school regarding the Summer Research Program, so I naturally applied for Dr. Higuchi’s lab.
What is the most rewarding part about being in this program so far?
Gabriella Coletta: I’m learning so much in a laboratory that I don’t truly get to in class. The hands-on approach really allows me to apply my knowledge and hone new skills. Also, being able to handle instruments and chemicals that I usually don’t get to is always exciting.
Kareena Poonai: Being able to actually apply my knowledge in an engaging learning environment is so rewarding. Specifically with the work I am doing right now it’s so much fun observing the behavioural aspect of the mice and how they react to each trial.
Any advice for your peers who are considering applying or tips in general when getting started in research?
Gabriella Coletta: Don’t be intimidated; don’t hesitate to out to professors or faculty that you would like to work with. Even if you might not feel as qualified, this is part of the process of learning so professors will be more than happy to help you along the way, so if research is your thing go for it!
Kareena Poonai: Ask your professors about anything and everything! It’s a great way to learn more about the field and figure out what you would want to do. At the end of the day, professors are more than happy to discuss with you their research projects and if you are interested in learning more about it, they will be more than happy to help you get there.
